AROUND 100 items of property believed to be stolen from homes in an around the Chard area has been recovered by police following a series of arrests.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that three men had been arrested across two separate incidents.

The action comes, police say, following a spate of thefts over the past three months which has peaked over the past two weeks.

In the first case, patrolling police arrested two men after spotting a suspicious vehicle on A358 near Chard at about 2.30pm on March 20.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “The car was stolen from Merriott between Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15.

“A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft.

“A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

“Following the arrests, officers searched two addresses leading to the recovery of suspected stolen tools and garden equipment.”

Both men were later released under investigation, and police enquiries are ongoing.

Another man was arrested in Chard just a few days later as the town’s police force continued to investigate a spate of crimes.

The force spokesman added: “Officers investigating a number of recent thefts from sheds and vehicles seized suspected stolen tools including chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers and other items from a property in the town on the morning on Monday, March 25.

“A man aged 30 was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and later released under investigation pending further enquiries.”

Enquiries are ongoing into both alleged crimes.